Need to get from AKL to the port

[thepeach80]

We're doing 4 days at AKL and then a 3 day cruise. The cruiseline charges $70/person to use the shuttle from the airport to the port! There's at least 9 of us, if not 10 people going, no thanks. What's the cheapest way do you think, or the best way, to get from our resort to the port? I guess my dad found one place that'll do it for $240 round trip. Seems expensive, but there will be a lot of us and I guess it's a 45 mins trip or so. Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I guess you could rent cars, but you would most likely need two cars unless you found a really large van. One way rentals are really pretty cheap...cheaper than parking at the ship. But, it does take time and energy to drop people off at the ship, return the car and take the shuttle back to the ship, then reverse it when you get off the ship.
Most car services are charging over $200, plus tip, for r/t to port. Where you have so many people in your group, you can expect it to be higher. You have to think of it this way...Disney will charge you $60-70 pp, r/t, or you can spend $300 divided by 9...about $35 pp r/t.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I rented a car at the airport and returned it at the location by the port. THe cost was $30 and the rental car company shuttled us to the port.

 

[Lewisc]

Possibly a party of 10. Cruise line transfers cost $700. You wait for a bus to fill up. A car service not only provides personal service but costs less then half the price ($240 +tip). Look up the distance in mapquest. I bet the total mileage (AKL-Port-MCO) is at least twice the distance of a R/T (MCO-AKL-MCO).

I don't think any reputable company will beat that price but more then a couple of dollars. How much less do you think you should pay?

.

 

[Edd]

You think $240.00 is expensive? Consider this.

Disney transportation for 10 persons. $690.00. Resort to Port to MCO. Disney transportation leave your hotel, approx. 0830h and go to the hotel where you pick up the Disney bus to the port. 30 - 45 minutes. Wait for the bus to get there and load up 15 - 30 Minutes. Bus ride could be picking up at two other hotels before it is on its way to the Port, 15 - 30 minutes more. Bus ride to the port from Disney 60 - 90 minutes. Least amount of travel time 120 minutes or arrival at Disney ship approx. 1030h. Maximum amount of travel time. Maximum amount of travel time 195 minutes. Arrival time at Disney ship 1145h. The travel time from the ship to MCO approximately 60 - 90 minutes depending on how fast the bus is filled up. Total cost $690.00 plus extra time spent riding bus. Roughly 2 hours more transferring in a Disney bus than car service.

Rental van for 10 persons. Day rate somewhere around $100.00 for a 10 passenger van. Leave resort with luggage and head to the hotel or rental agency. Cab fare $15.00 to $25.00 dollars depending on distance. Maybe you can ride the Disney bus to the hotel for free. Leave the resort at 0830h and allow approx. 60 minutes to pick up rental vehicle. The ride to the port approx. 90 minutes if you know the way and can take the most direct route. Go to rental car drop off location and clear the rental of luggage and passengers. Approx 30 minutes to get to the ship via rental car agency transportation. Total travel time 180 minutes. Arrival at ship approx 1130h. The same procedure is followed going back. 15 - 30 minutes to get back to the rental agency, 15 - 30 minutes to pick up and load rental vehicle and approx. 60 minutes back to MCO. Arrival at MCO another 30 minutes to get the car turned in and headed to the departure point. Approximately 120 - 180 minutes to the airport departure point. Total estimated cost $225.00 plus extra time spent acquiring and driving rental vehicle. Roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes more using a rental vehicle than car service.


Car service. Pick up at the resort at appointed time 0830. Ride direct to the ship 70 minutes from Disney. Drop off at the luggage collection point at the ship at approximately 0945. On the return pick up at the ship immediately after you clear the ship at gate #5. 45 minutes back to MCO. Total travel time 70 minutes to the port and 45 minutes from port to airport. Drop-off at the airport is directly outside the ticket counters on the third floor. Approximate price $240.00. Car service company prices vary, but not to much below the $240.00.

Also consider with car service you have baby seats for your youngsters, stop for beverages if you desire and a personal driver with many tips and ideas.

 

[Lewisc]

Ed--I agree with your conclusion, a car service makes the most sense.

Most car rental agencies provide a complimentary pickup from your hotel. I wouldn't be surprised to see a one way drop charge for a 10 passenger van rental. You need to add a few dollars for gas and tolls to the cost of renting a car.

I suspect a person looking for the cheapest transportation would get the best price if they rented two cars.

Given the increasing rates to rent a car, and the increasing number of companies charging a drop charge, I'd be surprised if renting a car would save enough money to be worth the inconvenience. What I've found on DIS is some posters will go through a lot of hastle to save a relatively small amount of money.

 

[mjhd]

I rented a car at the airport and returned it at the location by the port. THe cost was $30 and the rental car company shuttled us to the port.

Did you have a reservation? I am trying to reserve a car for 1 night and it is showing $100+ at all of the rental companies. Any suggestions (besides waiting or finding a code)? Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

Aren't some of the agencies adding a drop charge for port drop offs? I think at least some of the "codes" we use aren't valid for one day rentals.